Sam Webb has talked up Chris Evans as one of the freshmen to watch, but the caveat with Evans has always been that he's too slight for RB and would perhaps make a better slot-type. He's listed here at 5'11" and 200. That's two inches shorter and only 5 lbs less than Jabrill.

The two struck up a friendship during their time as Michigan commits, and Bredeson is from Wisconsin. While neither is telling, I'm certainly hoping the next 10 days pass as quickly as possible (and with little disturbance).

If this is Beilein's doing, then it is an extremely positive indicator.

If this is the kid's doing, then we just don't know. There are plenty of reasons why he would choose UVa or UNC over Michigan on the merits (distance from home, path to playing time, personal perception of prestige, etc.). Hell, he could have been asked to visit in late May to allow for Brown's decision to shake out, and perhaps he bristled at being a second fiddle.

The sandbagging is getting intense. We have just as much to lose, just as much to gain. The last victor gets the bragging rights; otherwise, you're just as pathetic as Ohio State bringing up football season to ease the pain.

Thanks for this discussion. I love looking ahead, even while enjoying another March. A few randomly ordered thoughts:

-I think Mitch could be tempted to jump due to age. Even as a second rounder, he starts his NBA clock sooner, which gets him to a potential second contract sooner. If he's healthy enough for pre-draft workouts, he could even end up as the ideal candidate for a team like the Spurs late in the first.

-I disagree that we need to hit a home run with PG in 2015. PG is a luxury until the 2016 class due to the depth on the roster. To get a true blue chip point, they will likely need to see a faster path to playing time than a potential Jr. Walton/Sr. Spike depth chart. Of course, things change. Walton could make the leap in year 2. And Michigan is still recruiting Brunson, even if (according to Sam Webb) they've slowed their recruitment of other 2015 points.

-Completely agree that we need a talented big in 2015. I hope Diamond Stone has continued to watch closely after his visit last year, because there's an opportunity for quick playing time here.

-I have to think that Nik is gone. His draft stock will likely never be higher, and I don't think we can discount the impact of seeing Glenn and Mitch come back, only to have their draft stock fall. We should enjoy every one of these last 9 games ;)

In general, I roll my eyes at about 90% of references to "Michigan Men" made on WTKA and elsewhere. The phrase obviously had meaning at some point, and there are obvious exceptions where that meaning holds true - the work with Mott sticks out.

But the phrase now more than ever seems to be a bit pro forma, based more upon performance on the field or star rating of a recent recruit.

Regardless of what the title means anymore, if the allegations here are true, then more than one person should give up their claim to it.

I think the assumption is that Fitzgerald is purple 'til he retires, but I'll be interested to see what happens if UT or USC backs a armored truck up to Bill O'Brien after another successful season at PSU. Either one of those athletic departments could absorb his buyout without a second thought. And - despite his sentimental spot in Happy Valley - I think he'd be crazy not to at least consider a chance at college football royalty.

Absolutely. I'm hoping that once Funchess gets healthy, he can serve as the complement to Gallon. That said, it's pretty impressive to see Chesson's downfield blocking. If he's not yet a viable receiving threat, at least he's still looking for ways to contribute.

De'Veon has now come in for some serious praise in the MGo-Preview materials, highlighted by Brian's prediction that he'll be the #2 back by the end of the season (but also in Ace's predictions above).

Is there recent insider scuttlebutt that suggests that he has been more impressive than Green or Johnson, or is this just an appreciation for Smith's game? (Interesting take either way; just wondering if I have missed something insidery.)